Chipworks buying ICE to increase reverse engineering services

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  Integrated Circuit Engineering Corp. (ICE), one of the chip industry's oldest market and technology research firms here, has agreed to be acquired by Chipworks Inc., an Ottawa-based company specializing in reverse engineering services.

Chipworks today said its purchase of ICE will result in the world's largest reverse engineering service provider for the microelectronics markets. The merger will combine Chipworks' in circuit analysis offering with ICE's process analysis capabilities, said Terry Ludlow, president of the Ottawa company.

"Furthermore, the combined resources of in-house talent and equipment, will allow Chipworks and ICE to offer their customers and prospects a best in class product and services portfolio," Ludlow claimed.

Chipworks performs reverse engineering services for semiconductor companies to provide data on competing products, IC reliability, and the use of intellectual property. Earlier this year, the Canadian company opened offices in Japan and Poland as part of an expansion in international markets.

In addition to adding the ability to analyze process technologies, Chipworks said the ICE purchase will enable it to offer services in training, market research, and technical consulting.

Financial details of the purchase agreement were not released, and the acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of November.

ICE was founded in 1964, and over the decades, it has been a breeding ground for many other semiconductor market research firms in the Phoenix area. ICE said it now has a staff more than 30 workers.